World Methodist Council Protests Suppression of Jewish Rights in Russia

August 27, 1971

DENVER (Aug. 26)

The World Methodist Council ended its convention here last night by approving a resolution expressing its “abhorrence’s of every kind of racial and religious discrimination.” and “in particular…the resurgence of anti-Semitism within the Soviet Union.” The Council, which represents 40 million Methodists in 87 countries, also protested “the suppression of Jewish cultural and religious traditions (in the USSR) and restrictions on the proper rights of Jews to emigrate to other lands.” (In New York today Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum. Interrelations Affairs director of the American Jewish Committee, welcomed the “unprecedented” resolution “with appreciation.” He stated; “The fact that this worldwide body of Christian leadership has voluntarily identified itself with the plight of the Jewish victims of Soviet oppression and persecution is another dramatic demonstration that the international conscience of mankind will not rest until liberation and justice prevail for Russian Jewry and, hopefully, for all other people who are denied their fundamental human rights.”

Continuing, Rabbi Tanenbaum said: “Sooner or later the leaders of the Soviet Union will be compelled to respond to the enlightened opinion of the world community on the right of Russian Jews to perpetuate their religion and culture or to leave for Israel and other Countries where they will be free to express their self-determination as Jews and as human beings. ” Rabbi A. James Rudin, assistant to Rabbi Tanenbaum, represented the AJCommittee at the convention as an official observer.) There were no Soviet delegates to the Methodists’ convention, as the World Council has no operations in the USSR. There were, however, two Russian observers. Last Wednesday the Council president, Dr. Charles C. Parlin, declared that “anti-Semitism and violence have no place in the Christian program.”